zenoosh

Damn!! You look AMAZING!!! Youce got great hair, too....notice any hair loss at all? Doesn't look like it :-)

Thenerd-- Thank you! I have my moments, and cardiology has a special place in my heart (haha). Seriously though, if you have any other questions from the cardiology side of things, dont hesitate to ask away. And again, good luck and keep us in the loop! Im super excited for my sleeve...nervous and scared, but excited nonetheless. We have a better shot at coming thru it with no complications when we have no co morbidities, so right now is the best time for us to get it done! I have also been overweight my entire adult life, but never felt as though I was missing out or unable to live a normal life, until now....Ive waited long enough, and tried every diet and program out there. Im committed, and its time to rock and roll!!!

So, Im an echocardiographer and i wouldn't worry about it. Unless you have an issue that they can hear or see(loud murmur, irregularity on your EKG, etc...) then the treadmill test and EKG should be sufficient. The cardiology office makes more $ if they do an echo, so when you have your consult, the doc will definitely be listening for reasons to add the echo. If they can't find a valid or chargeable reason, then I really wouldn't worry about it. If you have a family history of CAD or valve irregularities, tell your cardiologist and that could be enough to warrant the echo. Also, other risk factors like HTN, high lipids, or symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations will only make the echo more necessary as a pre-op precaution, but I wouldn't ever tell someone to say they have those things if they really don't. Hope that helps!! Good luck and keep us posted!

Good question, ipinch! I was wondering the same thing...

ugh, I meant prilosec...predicative text, ahhhh!

I've heard this is a pretty common side effect...it sucks. I am not sleeved yet but know what reflux and heartburn are like: I used to take proposed, but weaned off and started eating better foods...not a lot of processed stuff. It also helps not to eat before bed, but it seems a lot of this is due to the surgery itself, not necessarily the foods we eat That really sucks... I am not gonna like that one bit :-(

Im scheduled in México with Dr Garcia at Mi Hospital On Oct 27th...woot woot! October sleevers! He's changin' lives, one sleeve at a time. Anyone else sxd on that weekend?

Thanks for posting your experiences, you guys...Im sxd with Dr Garcia at the end of October. I feel soooooo much more confident in my decision and I was already pretty stoked on it! I seriously appreciate all the little deets...Im kind of nitpicky about certain things and I want the best (as does everyone else!!) I wish all you peeps the best in days weeks, months, years to come. Please keep us posted so we know of all the sucesses , triumphs, and awesomeness, but I want to hear of the difficulties as well, This is a huge deal, and Ive been researching for years. This is not a cure-all. This is a huge life change, and I'm sooo ready.....my best to everyone!!

Yes, you will go off at 26, but then you'll have other options: you could do COBRA, or get your own insurance. Young people's insurance is much cheaper, and you won't be denied with a pre-existing condition. Good luck!

Yep, same deal here....waiting for my surgery and looking up everything I can to prepare beforehand, and AFTER! I'm very anxious, but this site makes me feel more comfortable with my decision. Knowing so many people are sleeved already, and so many others are planning for it: Im going to be fine! (I worry...)

Woot-WOOT!!!!! When are you/they thinking for a date?? Yay! I've been following this thread, and thinking about you as you waited....im so glad the waiting for approval is OVER. Now, the wait for surgery day BEGINS...

I thought something was up when I saw your avatar...cute pic, but that's not Mufasa!!! If you contacted admin and IT, that's prob your best bet. Especially if others are having the same issues. AND they revamped only last week...they should be able to straighten it out if it doesn't debug itself....ive only been on for a couple weeks, but id be PISSED to lose my content....good luck!

I just wanted to thank all yous for posting on this feed...ive hut mt date penciled in with Garcia and im getting nervous!!! It makes me feel a ton(ha!) better to hear all your post op accolades of Dr Garcia and the sleeve surgery. Stoked for all of you, and looking forward to what's next....

Along the same lines, I am Pre-surgery, but have been taking psyllium fiber for years. So I'm assuming I can I still take fiber post surgery (not at first, probably?), because I do NOT like being backed up...Clean pipes are healthy pipes

I wish you the best, I'm so sorry you've had troubles...PLEASE keep us posted, I would bet others have had this issue, so keep in touch and search the boards. Good luck with the next surgery...I'm sure they'll fix you up nicely.... Just out of curiosity: Did you have your surgery here in the States or Mexico?

I am NOT a patient person,either... AND, im a healthcare professional which means im a horrible patient!!! I am a crazy cat lady...ill admit it. They're my other addiction (besides food, coffee, codependency) I have kids: So what if they're furry and they sit on my lap when I'm on on the toilet?!? My cats have never disappointed me....

I soooo hope they approve it:-). (I have shi**y insurance and I knew my out of pocket would be just as much, if not more, than what ill be paying for Mexico, so that pretty much made the decision for me. That and this site, which solidified my feelings about the hospitals and surgeons in Mexico). I can only imagine the "hurry up and wait" that you must be experiencing right now...GOOD LUCK! Dont despair, if its approved, WOOHOO! If not, try again and know you've got support and options...ill be thinking about ya (btw, your cat is awesome) <3

Im tentatively planning for Oct 27 in Tijuana with Dr Garcia...Anyone else planning for Tijuana that weekend? Of course im scared to death, but its all good: im giving myself time for the pre op liver shrink and getting all my sh*t together! I've got some planning to do!

Thanks lulugirl, That makes me feel a little better. I think ill try the same thing. Do you know which company helped you do that? In other words, when you make your monthly payment who do you send it to?

Ok, so here's what I found: people are saying its gas pain from the surgery itself. Someone mentioned that they kinda blow up your insides with C02 to work around everything, and sometimes gas gets stuck and you have to walk it out of your system. Others mentioned that this pain was their trigger/signal that they're full or ate too much. Only a few mentioned that it could be stricture or leak, but these peeps were further out than you. And btw, I found all this by punching in "left shoulder pain post op" into the forum/post search. Seems like its pretty common, but definitely keep your eye on it. Good luck! I hope you find relief very soon :-)

I've heard/read about this in other posts...Id search it on the site, and see what you come up with. Im gonna look it up right now, actually!

I saw a YouTube video of a woman who did have, what she called, VSG dumping. She had really overdone it at a New Years party: ribs, buffalo wings, butterscotch schnapps, etc... And she described a very painful several hours afterwards: gut pain, diarrhea, severe cramping, nausea, sitting on the toilet and NOTHING happens, etc... I think dumping is not as common with VSG but it can happen. I think we just have to be very conscious about what we eat, how much, how often, and not overdoing it...same sh*t, different day, right?

You guys ROCK! How stoked was I to find the Atheists/Agnostics group! Im getting my sleeve surgery soon (hopefully) and I will not pray or bless, be blessed (BLESSED BE), etc ...My higher power is alive and well and his name is Chubbis. He's my orange cream tabby cat. I put my faith in FELINE only... <3

Anyone qualify for partial financing with Dr Garcia that had less than stellar credit? Im going to apply through the offered financing companies tomorrow. Any bad experiences with the financing or any helpful info? Much appreciated:-)

Im starting the financing process...already approved for surgery with Dr Garcia...STOKED :-)